Readings
Old Testament: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves, O my people….And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people, and I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live
Ezekiel 37:12-14
Epistle: 1 John 5:4-10
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world.
1 John 5:4
Gospel: John 20:19-31
These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
John 20:31
Hymns to listen to:
Prayers
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Almighty God, You brought us up out of the Egypt of hell and into the Zion of Christ’s Church through the Red Sea of the baptismal font. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that as we continue to wend our way through the wilderness of this sinful world, we would long for the pure spiritual milk of Your Word and receive the sustenance we need, until we are brought to the Promised Land of the life of the world to come. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, Your Son appeared to His disciples in His resurrected flesh to ordain them and to send them out into the world, that repentance and the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name. Continue to raise up for us faithful men to serve in the Office of the Holy Ministry, and sustain those whom You have sent with courage and endurance. Bless their service among Your people who, with St. Thomas, confess Jesus as their Lord and God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Loving God, You sent Your Son to proclaim liberty to the captive, and You delivered the apostles from imprisonment according to Your will. Remember those who are imprisoned or held captive, whether justly or unjustly. Deliver them according to Your wisdom and mercy, and grant that they might hear Your Word and rejoice with penitent hearts that they are set free from sin, death and the devil. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful God, remember those who have wandered from the household of faith. Faithful to Your promises, work all things in their lives to remind them of their need for Your unending grace and steadfast love, that they might return to the faith and rejoice in Your Son who has died and is risen for them. As You sustained the exiles in Babylon, so sustain Your scattered Church until all may gather together again at Your table. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You appoint rulers and officials for the sake of order and peace. Bless those whom You have placed in authority over us at the federal, state and local levels. Give to them the desire to serve with integrity and honor, and to work for the benefit of all. Protect them, give them health, and direct them wisely in their response to the ongoing pandemic. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, look with mercy upon all who suffer in this vale of tears; those isolated, ill or endangered from the coronavirus; and those we remember now [especially _____________]. Provide them with loving and compassionate care, and comfort them with the reminder that everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world, and that, believing that Jesus is the Christ, they have life in His name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through faith in Christ Jesus. Amen.